How to See Ugly Things in Beautiful Ways

Finding good things to hold on to during your struggle.

Let’s be honest, the journey of building a career, of constantly upskilling and striving for something more, isn’t always a picturesque stroll through a blooming garden. Sometimes, it feels more like wading through thick mud, the air heavy with doubt and the path ahead shrouded in fog. There are days when the rejections sting, the learning curves feel impossibly steep, and the progress seems agonizingly slow. In those moments, it’s easy to let the “ugly” – the setbacks, the frustrations, the feelings of inadequacy – consume us.

I know that feeling. We all do, in some shape or form. That knot in your stomach when you see another “no” in your inbox. The wave of exhaustion that washes over you after a long day of trying to master a new skill that just doesn’t seem to click. The quiet whisper of self-doubt that tells you maybe you’re not cut out for this. These are the ugly truths we face on our climb.

But what if I told you that even in these seemingly bleak moments, there’s a hidden beauty waiting to be discovered? It’s not about pretending the mud isn’t there, or painting over the fog with false optimism. It’s about learning to see the intricate patterns in the mud, the way the light filters through the fog, creating an ethereal glow. It’s about finding the strength within the struggle itself.

Think about it. That stinging rejection? It might be pointing you in a different, perhaps even better, direction. It forces you to refine your approach, to dig deeper and understand what truly resonates. The steep learning curve? Every stumble, every moment of frustration, is actually etching that new knowledge deeper into your understanding. It’s building resilience, showing you what you’re capable of overcoming. And the slow progress? It’s a testament to your perseverance, a quiet strength that’s accumulating with every small step forward.

It’s like finding a single wildflower pushing through cracked concrete. It’s unexpected, resilient, and undeniably beautiful in its tenacity. The “ugly” concrete becomes the backdrop that highlights the vibrant life of the flower.

This isn’t about ignoring the pain or the difficulty. It’s about shifting our perspective, training our eyes to find the glimmers of good that often hide within the challenges. It’s about asking ourselves:

• What can I learn from this setback? Even in disappointment, there’s often a valuable lesson waiting to be unearthed.
• What strength am I building by pushing through this? Resistance, like exercise, makes us stronger.
• What small victory can I acknowledge today? Even the tiniest step forward deserves recognition.
• What am I grateful for, even amidst this difficulty? Sometimes, focusing on what we do have can provide a much-needed anchor.

This practice of finding beauty in the struggle isn’t a magic wand that instantly makes everything easy. But it is a powerful tool. It allows us to navigate the tough times with a little more grace, a little more hope. It reminds us that growth often comes from discomfort, and that even in the ugliest of circumstances, our resilience, our determination, and the lessons we learn are undeniably beautiful.

So, the next time you find yourself in the thick of it, take a moment. Look closely. Can you find that single wildflower pushing through the concrete? Can you see the beauty in your own strength, in your willingness to keep going? I believe you can. And holding onto those glimmers of beauty, those small pockets of hope, can make all the difference in navigating the journey ahead. You’ve got this.